Search suspended for missing Merritt cowboy

The search for missing Merritt cowboy Ben Tyner has been suspended.Cpl. Tracy Dunsmore, of the Merritt RCMP, said the search was suspended because a large area around where Tyner’s horse was found on Jan. 28 had been fully searched and because of extreme cold and poor weather conditions.Related Mounties discovered Tyner was missing last Monday when his horse was found in the wilderness near Merritt. Tyner, 32, was the recently-hired ranch boss at the Nicola Ranch and was last seen Jan. 26. His horse was unharmed and fully tacked when discovered.The search included more than 19 teams from across the province, dog tracking teams, air support, drones, horseback riders and community volunteers that covered the large area north of Merritt.Extreme cold and snow on Sunday hindered search efforts somewhat, but volunteers continued to search drainage areas and steep terrain with no results, Dunsmore said.Dunsmore said that although the search was suspended, the RCMP would continue to investigate.Related dcarrigg@postmedia.comtwitter.com/davidcarrigg